My name is Siya and I am a first-year engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. I plan to focus on Bioengineering under the Cellular track and hope to be in the fields of research regarding biomedical applications in neurological or cardiological research. I am fit and enjoy moving my body to maintain a healthy lifestyle. At South Fayette township high school, thirty minutes just outside of Pittsburgh, I grew up a runner, winning state and national accolades as part of my school cross country and track team. On more of the creative side, one of my favorite hobbies is art, and I had the honor of creating my school’s graduation painting alongside one of my peers. I also love spending time with friends and family, doing any activities and games, and relaxing nights in.

I chose to attend the Greece Plus3 program because I am extremely interested in the applications of engineering on a global scale. I look forward to learning about global supply chain, a topic that I was previously unfamiliar with. This topic will educate me on how innovations and developments are created and impacting lives across the world. I have also never been to Greece and am thoroughly excited to learn about the rich and mesmerizing history of one of the most ancient cities in the world. I look forward to improving my teamwork skills, improving my professional skills, and becoming a more globalized person after having seen a new corner of the world.

Plus3 is a valuable opportunity offered by Pitt when it comes to how it will cultivate collaboration skills, professional skills, and allow me to become a more well-rounded human being. Going to a new country with a group of peers that I did not have the opportunity to hand-pick will be a learning opportunity on collaborating with other students with similar goals and interests. I will be able to improve my teamwork skills through partaking in exploration, lectures, and company visits with my fellow engineering students. This program aligns with my career interests by making me a more versatile engineer by providing a new viewpoint on how engineering practices and topics are applied on a global scale.  I will gain real professional experiences during company visits that provide a snapshot of what my life will be like in the future.